Violence Persists in
Guatemala
During the first 50 days
of the Social Democrat
government of Alvaro
Colom, 344 violent
deaths were registered
in Guatemala, the Mutual
Support Group of
Guatemala (GAM) reported
Friday.
Although the scourge of
violence affects the
entire society, men were
most affected in this
period, particularly
transport workers and
secondary students, the
document specifies.
According to the
humanitarian
organization, 38 drivers
and assistants were
murdered so far this
year, while the total
number of victims in
that sector throughout
2007 was 50.
In the analysis, based
on media information,
GAM reports a slight
reduction of crimes
against women, although
the number continues to
be alarming, with more
than 60 cases.
According to GAM
director Mario Polanco,
despite the decision of
the new government to
ordain more resources to
fight insecurity, there
are no remarkable
advances yet in such a
deep-rooted problem.
In statements to Prensa
Latina, Polanco
recognized that this
administration faces
historic challenges of
great magnitude, like
confronting violence,
poverty, economic
instability, organized
crime and unemployment.
He considers it
necessary to create new
academies for the
training of police and
to invest more in
education, health,
housing and employment
generation, in order to
avoid crime finding
space in the population. |
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